Dodge Viper Problems by Year
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Dodge Viper, across 15 model years (1995–2015). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (8). The most reported problem area overall is structure.
Dodge Viper years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Viper model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Viper: 8 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1996 Viper: 8 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2005 Viper: 7 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2001 Viper: 1 complaint, 2 recalls
- 2002 Viper: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2006 Viper: 1 complaint, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Dodge Viper problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 14 | 9 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Steering | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Power Train | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Dodge Viper model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Viper | 3 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2014 Viper | 4 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2013 Viper | 4 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2006 Viper | 1 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2005 Viper | 7 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2004 Viper | 8 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2003 Viper | 5 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2002 Viper | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2001 Viper | 1 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2000 Viper | 4 | 3 | — | Structure | |
| 1999 Viper | 2 | 3 | — | Steering | |
| 1998 Viper | 3 | 3 | — | Steering | |
| 1997 Viper | 3 | 3 | — | Structure | |
| 1996 Viper | 8 | 2 | — | Structure | |
| 1995 Viper | 3 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from Dodge: all Dodge models · Dodge VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Viper years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2004 (8), 1996 (8), 2005 (7). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Dodge Viper?
Structure, with 14 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Dodge Viper have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.